Hoe Valley Scheme - frequently asked questions

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Who is delivering the Hoe Valley Scheme?
Why are trees being felled at Woking Park and around the Hoe Stream?
How many trees are being removed over what period?
Will there be replanting?
How many properties will be protected from flooding and to what standard?
Will the scheme make flooding worse for people living on other parts of the Hoe Stream?
When will the new public open space be available?
Will the scheme include new housing?

The following text answers the frequently asked questions that Woking Borough Council has received from members of the public about the Hoe Valley Scheme. Further questions and answers will be added to this list in due course.

Who is delivering the Hoe Valley Scheme?

The Hoe Valley Scheme (HVS) is being delivered by Thameswey Developments Limited (TDL) on behalf of Woking Borough Council and its partner in the flood defence work, The Environment Agency. TDL has employed Turner and Townsend as project managers, Volker FitzPatrick as the main scheme contractor and Mansell for the Goldsworth Park community building to deliver the scheme.

Why are trees being felled at Woking Park and around the Hoe Stream?

Trees need to be removed to make way for the flood protection work (where new bunds, ponds, paths and walls are located) and the remediation of Westfield Tip where the entire tip will be dug out and cleaned.

How many trees are being removed over what period?

Approximately 400 trees and shrubsare beingremoved over a three-year period. All trees are felled in line with an Environmental Impact Assessment, agreed Tree Removal Statement and supervised by an arboricultural officer and Environmental Clerk of Works.

Will there be replanting?

Yes, an extensive public open space will be created with landscaping and approximately 350 new trees and shrubs designed to promote a mixed ecology and encourage wider bio-diversity.

How many properties will be protected from flooding and to what standard?

198 properties which currently flood will be removed from the flood plain and a further 68 whose gardens flood will also benefit. This is in addition to the community buildings, Westfield School and the new development site. The protection offered is from a 1 in 100 year event with an additional allowance for climate change and modelling error which equates to roughly a 1 in 200 year event.

Will the scheme make flooding worse for people living on other parts of the Hoe Stream?

No, as part of the Environment Agency permission to develop this flood scheme the model had to prove that there is no detrimental effect on other parts of the stream either during or after construction. There may actually be some minor improvements due to the increased flood capacity provided by the removal and remediation of the Westfield Tip.

When will the new public open space be available?

At present it is proposed to be completed in 2013.

Will the scheme include new housing?

The scheme will provide a building platform on the existing site of the community buildings in Westfield Avenue. At present, there is planning permission for 153 homes for this site. The current plan is for TDL to sell the site to a developer who may apply for a different permission at a later date.